USE OF EXTRACT FROM DRY MARIGOLD (Tagetes spp.) FLOWERS TO PRIME EGGPLANT (Solanum melongena L.) SEEDS

Although chemical priming agents have been successfully used to improve seed germination, emergence and seedling quality in different plant species, still they are not yet useful for organic cultivation. Marigold is a multipurpose plant and rich source of lutein and gallic acid, to be explored as an organic priming agent. The purpose of this study was to identify an organic priming agent for organic growing and to develop appropriate methods by using two different species of marigold (Tagetes patula L. and T. erecta L.). Herbal tea obtained from the dried flower of marigold was used as a priming agent for eggplant (Solanum melongena L) cv. Pala seeds. Hydropriming and control seeds were compared with organic priming (T. patula and T. erecta) for germination percentage, mean germination time, germination rate, two different emergence tests, seedling height, seedling fresh and seedling dry weights. Data obtained from the application of organic priming (T. patula and T. erecta) showed a difference in both the germination (82 and 80%), and the emergence (73 and 76%) from Controls and Hydropriming. Seeds emerged in, which unprimed in 52 and 39% respectively, when primed with T. patula, emerged in 73 and 56% respectively. The mean germination time and the mean emergence time were shortened compared with Controls and Hydropriming. MET decreased in 1 cm and 2.5 cm depth sowing from 14.0 and 16.1 days than 10.3 and 11.9 days in Emergence-1 and 10.4 and 10.2 days in Emergence 2, respectively. Seedling quality characteristics were examined in the seedling height, the seedling fresh and dry weights of T. patula and T. erecta applications were also statistically significant. This is the first report which results showed that marigold species can be used as a potential organic priming agent.